Rapid diagnostic technologies for the food industries

摘要

In the modern competitive environment, rapid tests for problems in raw materials, products and hygiene are essential. Biotechnology has been fundamental to development of many new strategies employed to maintain consistent and timely supply of high quality food products and ingredients and ensure compliance with legislation. Immunochemical assays have proven particularly useful as has bioluminescence. Rhone-Diagnostics Technologies is a small company, originating as a commercialisation of academic research, specialising in development and marketing of kits that can be used by personnel in food production companies. Typical of kit strategies are: sorbent extractions with antibodies bound to matrices for detecting minute quantities of mycotoxins in foods and feeds; antibody-coated, coloured latex beads for detection for Salmonella strains; immunochemical plate assays for proteins in cereal and meat samples; and rapid swab procedures for detection of biological materials on surfaces. By use of distribution agreements and stringent standards, a small company can maintain a high level of service, providing key support for food manufacturers.